Want a beach bod?

Summer is loaded with eventsthat call for less clothing andmore muscle. If getting inshape is one goal for thewarmer months, there's little time leftto do it. These books promise resultsin weeks (or less) - but require totalcommitment.

If you're ready to give yourself over toDebbie, then two weeks might be enoughtime to see some results. Rocker is a formerelite athlete and the inventor of theWalkVest, a weighted vest that, not surprisingly,figures prominently in herwalk-based exercise routine.

Rocker's philosophy doesn't includequick fixes or on-again-off-again diets.Her regimen is designed to kick-startmajor lifestyle changes, such as regularexercise, a balanced diet and a positiveattitude. She emphasizes awareness ofeverything - body placement, exerciseintensity, food choices - so don't planon checking out during those dailywalks. Walking regimens vary in intensityto build strength and endurance, andworkouts include basic exercises such aspush-ups, triceps dips and leg lifts.

Although she advocates treadmills,they're not a necessity, making this a reasonableplan for those on a budget (if forgoingthe $80 WalkVest, of course). Rockermakes an enormous push for herinvention (designed to add increasingresistance while walking), and the hardsell is wearying after a while - as is hertwo-week diet, which includes two daysof near-fasting on vegetable broth andcooked vegetables. Only the most dedicateddisciples will be able to adhere to itfor the full two weeks. And some of herworkouts may be too intense for rankbeginners.

Fans of plastic surgery reality show"Extreme Makeover" will recognizeauthor Thurmond as the beefy exerciseguru who helped many a surgicallyenhanced contestant go from flab to fab.

For those aching to know the whys ofdiet and exercise, Thurmond goes togreat lengths, explaining - among otherthings - how the body burns fat andthe differences between fast- andslow-twitch muscle fibers. Strengthexercises mostly rely on low-costankle weights and bands, and headvocates walking and slow joggingfor cardio. For the most part, his planis sensible and probably will result inlower weight and improved muscletone, providing one can just say no tothe fries.

Thurmond extols the virtues ofdoing cardio in a fat-burning zone,then turns around and says intervaltraining is important too, creatingsome confusion. He also claims thatmachines such as elliptical trainersand stair climbers should be avoided,because they'll bump users up to ananaerobic level. That's absurd -workouts can simply be done at a lowerintensity. Thurmond recommends drinking12 eight-ounce glasses of water a day,way more than most people can down,and an amount some health experts sayhas no merit.

Can you cut it?

"Making the Cut," By Jillian Michaels
(Crown Publishers, 2007).

Jillian Michaels is another made-for-TV trainer, with appearances on "The
Biggest Loser" propelling her to fame.Her latest book is for those who want todrop the last 10 to 20 pounds, usually thetoughest to lose, and she gives them amonth to do it. Michaels makes it clearthat this is not for wimps - she doesn'teven allow girl push-ups. It's also not forthose who are completely out of shape.

Michaels includes numerous recipesin her book, a nice alternative to somebooks that offer only meager diet guidance,such as "Eat two ounces of leanturkey." Some look tasty, such as theBombay Curried Shrimp, and makeample use of nonfattening spices andherbs.

Also refreshing is Michaels' strongcaution against using colonics, laxativesand fasting as a means to a thinner end,discussing the dangers of each in detail.